GrigorisSokratis
November 1st, 2005, 06:15 AM
As it worlwide well known Greece is famous for its long 5000 years history, its around 15000 kms of coastline and its more than 3000 islands.
What is less known about Greece is that it has more mountains than islands. Believe it or not it has quite many more than 3000 peaks, and of all kind and nature. Being a country with three well defined climatic zones; Mediterranean (the one for Greece is more famous), alpine and Central European Temperate; and a latitude extension spanning from the 35*N to the 42*N you can surely expect such a great variety.
It's also a country with a great potential of becoming a winter sports power like France, Switzerland or Italy. But what it already is nowadays is a heaven for Mountain Climbers (hey maybe you can't realize since we are just a handful in the whole world much less than the millions or even billions of beach lovers that inhabit this planet, from children to seniors), and they come in big numbers to climb these giant peaks Greece has to offer.
In these threads to follow I'm going to present you different mountains of Ellas, with pictures, info, etc. Starting up of course in this first volume with Mount Olympus "the home of the gods", which is actually a whole range with tens of high peaks.
Mount Olympus range
Highest peak: Mitikas with 2,919 meters/ 9,577 feet
Location: Pieria, Macedonia, Greece (between borders of Macedonia region and Thessaly region).
Lat/Lon: 40.09°N, 22.36°E
http://www.summitpost.org/images/179466.JPG
Besides being the country’s highpoint, Olymbos has always held an important role in the mythology and history of the place. It is known worldwide as the “Mountain of the Gods”, as the 12 Gods of the ancient Greek religion, made it their home and fortress when fighting against the Titans (based on Mount Orthri) for control of the universe.
Although ancient Greeks used to climb up to Profitis Ilias to sacrifice to the Gods, they didn’t dare get close to the highest peaks. Some unsuccessful attempts to the summit were recorded in the 17th and 19th centuries. Finally, in August 2 1913 Swiss climbers Fred Boissonas and Daniel Baud Bovy and the local guide Christos Kakkalos made it to the summit. They named it Venizelos, after the prime minister who has led the country to victory in the Balkan wars, and the one to the north “Zeus’ throne”. Those peaks are today named Mytikas and Stefani.
http://www.summitpost.org/images/146221.JPG
Highest peaks
-Mytikas (2919m according to the latest measurements).
-Stefani (2912m according to the latest measurements), also known as "Zeus' throne"
-Skolio (2911m)
-Skala (2866m)
-Agios Antonis (2815m)
-Profitis Ilias (2803m)
-Toumba (2785)
There are 46 peaks above 2000m and 47 more above 1000m!
http://www.summitpost.org/images/119572.jpg
It's worth mentioning that the 2,919 meters to Mitikas are of real altitude from base to summit, that means that if you are to climb to its summit you have to climb each one of those meters; this happens since the base of this range is located at 0 meters above sea level, just next to the Aegean. This makes Mount Olympus the most massive one of all eastern Europe (including the ones located in Austria which bases are located at an average of 1,000 meters above sea level).
http://www.summitpost.org/images/175622.jpg
Getting There
By car:
Litochoro, the town on the east side of the mountains is by far the most popular starting point. To get there take E75 and turn at the Litochoro exit (85km from Thessaloniki, 425km from Athens). Litochoro is another 5km from the exit. Other starting places are Elassona (west), Karya (south) and Kokkinoplos (northwest).
By train:
Nearest train station: Litochoro railway station. (Note: the new station is about 5km away from the town).
Further info: Hellenic Railroad Organisation.
By bus:
KTEL buses from Athens or Thessaloniki. The bus from Athens drops you at a bus stop on the E75 Litochoro exit. A local bus from Katerini takes you to Litochoro. From Thessaloniki you go to Katerini and take the local bus from there.
Nearest airport: Thessaloniki International Airport 100 kms away (but in a few months Larissa airport will be available for public services).
http://www.summitpost.org/images/178007.jpg
Red Tape:
Olymbos is a national park so certain restrictions apply. Also foreigners who want to spend a night in Refuge B need a permit because it is located in a military area. The permit is necessary for passing through that area on your way to the peaks and can be obtained through Hellenic National Defence General Staff (http://www.geetha.mil.gr/ENGLISH/MILITARY/GEETHA.HTM)
When to climb:
http://www.summitpost.org/images/179462.JPG
Climbing Olymbos is possible around the year. However winter ascends are quite demanding as the weather can get really bad in minutes. In the summer it’s one of few mountains in Greece cool enough to climb (you can expect rain or hail even in August). Snowfalls usually start in October and there is still enough snow in June.
Camping
http://www.summitpost.org/images/179467.JPG
There are four refuges on Olymbos. In all of them you can buy supplies (snacks, bottled water etc.) and in most (except B) you can order a meal. In the summer they are open on weekends and in the high season (mid July to late August) every day. In the winter you have to make arrangements with the maintainers to take the keys
http://www.summitpost.org/images/178006.jpg
Refuge A, “Spilios Agapitos” (2060m)
Refuge B, “Vryssopoules” (1800m)
Refuge C, “Christos Kakkalos” (2650m)
Refuge D, “Stavros” (930m)
SEO Refuge, “Giosos Apostolidis” (2720m)
A new refuge in "Krevatia" or "Palioskelia" (1000m). Accessible through an 8km dirt road or a 1,5hr trek from Agia Triada Vrontous. 20 beds and organized kitchen.
Tel: +6978278548, +6979006208
Mountain Conditions:
http://www.summitpost.org/images/178011.jpg
In the winter north winds make for a steady weather (but can bring temperatures down to –20ºC). It’s the northwest ones that usually bring trouble.
Avalanche danger is an other thing to consider in the winter.
Snowreport.gr (in Greek & English, for all Greek mountains with ski centers)
National Observatory of Athens 72-hours Forecasts General forecast. Check the forecast for Thessaloniki.
http://www.summitpost.org/images/178008.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/179460.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/119565.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/119563.jpg
Waterfall in Ag Dionissios
http://www.summitpost.org/images/72841.jpg
The emergency shelter above the Army's ski lift in Vryssopoules.
http://www.summitpost.org/images/64885.jpg
http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/6468/olympos0690hy.jpg
The castle of Platamonas
http://www.summitpost.org/images/64883.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/46471.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/64881.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/64879.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/63218.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/63217.jpg
Skolio
http://www.summitpost.org/images/70736.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/72840.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/66672.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/53720.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/53719.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/53718.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/53717.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/53716.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/46473.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/146222.JPG
On Mitikas at 2,919 meters/9577 feet.
Most of this information is from:
http://www.summitpost.org/
http://www.anavasi.gr/index/
http://www.astraka.net/
What is less known about Greece is that it has more mountains than islands. Believe it or not it has quite many more than 3000 peaks, and of all kind and nature. Being a country with three well defined climatic zones; Mediterranean (the one for Greece is more famous), alpine and Central European Temperate; and a latitude extension spanning from the 35*N to the 42*N you can surely expect such a great variety.
It's also a country with a great potential of becoming a winter sports power like France, Switzerland or Italy. But what it already is nowadays is a heaven for Mountain Climbers (hey maybe you can't realize since we are just a handful in the whole world much less than the millions or even billions of beach lovers that inhabit this planet, from children to seniors), and they come in big numbers to climb these giant peaks Greece has to offer.
In these threads to follow I'm going to present you different mountains of Ellas, with pictures, info, etc. Starting up of course in this first volume with Mount Olympus "the home of the gods", which is actually a whole range with tens of high peaks.
Mount Olympus range
Highest peak: Mitikas with 2,919 meters/ 9,577 feet
Location: Pieria, Macedonia, Greece (between borders of Macedonia region and Thessaly region).
Lat/Lon: 40.09°N, 22.36°E
http://www.summitpost.org/images/179466.JPG
Besides being the country’s highpoint, Olymbos has always held an important role in the mythology and history of the place. It is known worldwide as the “Mountain of the Gods”, as the 12 Gods of the ancient Greek religion, made it their home and fortress when fighting against the Titans (based on Mount Orthri) for control of the universe.
Although ancient Greeks used to climb up to Profitis Ilias to sacrifice to the Gods, they didn’t dare get close to the highest peaks. Some unsuccessful attempts to the summit were recorded in the 17th and 19th centuries. Finally, in August 2 1913 Swiss climbers Fred Boissonas and Daniel Baud Bovy and the local guide Christos Kakkalos made it to the summit. They named it Venizelos, after the prime minister who has led the country to victory in the Balkan wars, and the one to the north “Zeus’ throne”. Those peaks are today named Mytikas and Stefani.
http://www.summitpost.org/images/146221.JPG
Highest peaks
-Mytikas (2919m according to the latest measurements).
-Stefani (2912m according to the latest measurements), also known as "Zeus' throne"
-Skolio (2911m)
-Skala (2866m)
-Agios Antonis (2815m)
-Profitis Ilias (2803m)
-Toumba (2785)
There are 46 peaks above 2000m and 47 more above 1000m!
http://www.summitpost.org/images/119572.jpg
It's worth mentioning that the 2,919 meters to Mitikas are of real altitude from base to summit, that means that if you are to climb to its summit you have to climb each one of those meters; this happens since the base of this range is located at 0 meters above sea level, just next to the Aegean. This makes Mount Olympus the most massive one of all eastern Europe (including the ones located in Austria which bases are located at an average of 1,000 meters above sea level).
http://www.summitpost.org/images/175622.jpg
Getting There
By car:
Litochoro, the town on the east side of the mountains is by far the most popular starting point. To get there take E75 and turn at the Litochoro exit (85km from Thessaloniki, 425km from Athens). Litochoro is another 5km from the exit. Other starting places are Elassona (west), Karya (south) and Kokkinoplos (northwest).
By train:
Nearest train station: Litochoro railway station. (Note: the new station is about 5km away from the town).
Further info: Hellenic Railroad Organisation.
By bus:
KTEL buses from Athens or Thessaloniki. The bus from Athens drops you at a bus stop on the E75 Litochoro exit. A local bus from Katerini takes you to Litochoro. From Thessaloniki you go to Katerini and take the local bus from there.
Nearest airport: Thessaloniki International Airport 100 kms away (but in a few months Larissa airport will be available for public services).
http://www.summitpost.org/images/178007.jpg
Red Tape:
Olymbos is a national park so certain restrictions apply. Also foreigners who want to spend a night in Refuge B need a permit because it is located in a military area. The permit is necessary for passing through that area on your way to the peaks and can be obtained through Hellenic National Defence General Staff (http://www.geetha.mil.gr/ENGLISH/MILITARY/GEETHA.HTM)
When to climb:
http://www.summitpost.org/images/179462.JPG
Climbing Olymbos is possible around the year. However winter ascends are quite demanding as the weather can get really bad in minutes. In the summer it’s one of few mountains in Greece cool enough to climb (you can expect rain or hail even in August). Snowfalls usually start in October and there is still enough snow in June.
Camping
http://www.summitpost.org/images/179467.JPG
There are four refuges on Olymbos. In all of them you can buy supplies (snacks, bottled water etc.) and in most (except B) you can order a meal. In the summer they are open on weekends and in the high season (mid July to late August) every day. In the winter you have to make arrangements with the maintainers to take the keys
http://www.summitpost.org/images/178006.jpg
Refuge A, “Spilios Agapitos” (2060m)
Refuge B, “Vryssopoules” (1800m)
Refuge C, “Christos Kakkalos” (2650m)
Refuge D, “Stavros” (930m)
SEO Refuge, “Giosos Apostolidis” (2720m)
A new refuge in "Krevatia" or "Palioskelia" (1000m). Accessible through an 8km dirt road or a 1,5hr trek from Agia Triada Vrontous. 20 beds and organized kitchen.
Tel: +6978278548, +6979006208
Mountain Conditions:
http://www.summitpost.org/images/178011.jpg
In the winter north winds make for a steady weather (but can bring temperatures down to –20ºC). It’s the northwest ones that usually bring trouble.
Avalanche danger is an other thing to consider in the winter.
Snowreport.gr (in Greek & English, for all Greek mountains with ski centers)
National Observatory of Athens 72-hours Forecasts General forecast. Check the forecast for Thessaloniki.
http://www.summitpost.org/images/178008.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/179460.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/119565.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/119563.jpg
Waterfall in Ag Dionissios
http://www.summitpost.org/images/72841.jpg
The emergency shelter above the Army's ski lift in Vryssopoules.
http://www.summitpost.org/images/64885.jpg
http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/6468/olympos0690hy.jpg
The castle of Platamonas
http://www.summitpost.org/images/64883.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/46471.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/64881.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/64879.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/63218.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/63217.jpg
Skolio
http://www.summitpost.org/images/70736.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/72840.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/66672.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/53720.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/53719.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/53718.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/53717.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/53716.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/46473.jpg
http://www.summitpost.org/images/146222.JPG
On Mitikas at 2,919 meters/9577 feet.
Most of this information is from:
http://www.summitpost.org/
http://www.anavasi.gr/index/
http://www.astraka.net/